The following days were paradise. They saw each other every day, discovering each other's body, and when Titus found out that mermaids are only fertile one period per year, he put all his effort in love making, knowing Hayliaa had her's already earlier this year.
She was able to help him with one of his assignments, in which he had to do a full study on an alien or mythical creature. In essence he could make up anything as long as it was fully biological correct, but he did an intense study on her skeleton, muscle structure, lungs and gills, her underwater communication and her telepathic abilities. Perhaps his creature was not as fantastic as some of his classmates came up with, but it was so solid that he got a perfect score.
Titus made arrangements to change his major over to marine biology starting the next semester, and this allowed him into a scuba diving class. Soon he managed to buy someone's old gear, a wetsuit and a rather large air tank. The first time he brought it to their little beach he was exhausted from the weight he had carried, and not until after a solid massage she gave him, they could dive together for the first time. Both were excited as she could finally show a piece of her world to her lover. She taught him everything she knew on all of the sea creatures and the more time they spent together, the more Titus had the feeling he could sense what Hayliaa was telling him under water. Mermaids develop their telepathic abilities during childhood which results in short distance person to person communication and long distance radar like sensor development. Some of this was rubbing off now on him as well and their ability to communicate without any sound improved from day to day.
They found that making love underwater was so much more satisfying, even with the big tank on his back, but the flexibility under water added a whole new dimension of pleasure. One time he ran out of air in the middle of making out and she kissed him blowing air in his mouth that she had extracted through her gills. This opened up new possibilities as they could swim farther together, sharing the air she produced for both, so he could save his tank for the moments they needed separation. Once they stayed below for a complete night, even sleeping during a permanent kiss. The closeness lead to even better telepathic connection and he could ask her questions now and she would answer, putting naughty images in his mind.
He made many pictures of her and selfies with the both of them on his cellphone but he was always aware that if people would find out he was dating a mermaid their happy life would be over swiftly, so he made her wear his shirt and never snapped the tail in the picture. He even bought her a few dresses, knowing her measures extremely well, and she loved to wear them, even underwater. Once she brought him new swim pants, made from eel skin or something, very soft leather like, a bit slimy, but absolutely comfortable compared to his nylon pants. She would rub his crotch through the pants making him hard and a small but flexible slit would allow his member out, much larger than he remembered it ever be. She also provided him with the mermaid equivalent of a photograph, an image of herself set in a special corner in his mind that he could recall at will, seeing her wink and twirling around as if she was right in front of him. She also added pictures of her mom, her older sister and a kid sister which he cherished as his own family.
Christmas came real quickly and Titus prepared to go home for the holidays. His scholarship allowed for one trip home per year, and typically that would be used for the summer break, but he didn't want to be gone from her that long. The Christmas break would still be 4 weeks and they both dreaded the separation. He added a second cellphone to his plan and left it with her in a waterproof container hidden underwater close to their beach, together with a number of fully charged external power packs. He showed her how to use it and how to charge it and then they said their goodbyes. They talked on the phone until his plane left and then each felt empty, missing their lover for the past few months.
After an uneventful series of flights he finally reached home, his sister picking him up. And by the time they reached home she said, come on lil bro, what's going on? You have a girl out there? She could always tell his mind, ever since they were young. He nodded, and showed her one of his favorite pictures in her favorite dress. Oh my, she said, a white chick, and a redhead at that, pretty though, are you sure about that bro? But when she looked in his eyes she saw his answer and she smiled. Well, give her a call, I wanna talk to her. He had to calculate the time difference in his mind thinking that Hayliaa wouldn't be there, but she answered at the first ring of his Skype call, her lovely face beaming with happiness and relief . Before he could say anything his sister ripped the phone from his hands and looked at the camera and said, hi, I'm Summer, Titus's sister, how are you? For a moment a shock appeared on Hayliaa's face but then she smiled warmly and said in her melodious voice, hi Summer, I've heard so much about you, so nice to meet you. The girls started chatting for at least five minutes while Titus brought his stuff up to his old room. He put a few presents under the tree and found his mom in the basement working out. He told her all about school and the island and then Summer came down with the phone, showing mom his girlfriend. The three of them were chatting like they knew each other for years, while he was sheepishly listening to the chatter. Better this than that they hate her, he thought.
Then finally they passed the phone to him and he took it to his room, while smiling at Hayliaa. First thing she said was, your sister is awesome, and I love your mom! Well good, he said, I think they like you too. She smiled, then got serious. I miss you already, she said, and this phone keeps beeping, not sure what's going on. He thought for a second, then said, the battery must be low, use one of the power packs to recharge it. But it was too late, the connection was lost. He just hoped she would remember to recharge the phone so they could talk tomorrow again.
When he got downstairs again his sister saw the disappointed look on his face and said, sorry, I must have run her battery out. When he nodded she said, don't worry, she'll plug it in and call you back in no time. It's not that simple, he replied, she has no power where she lives, she's a real country girl. I left a few power packs with her, but it will take a while before the phone is fully charged again. Wow, Summer said, I didn't even think that existed anymore, how did you two meet? At the beach, he answered, I found my own private beach, only to find out she called it her own. Then we decided to share and so it's ours now. She has helped me tremendously with my studies, she knows so much about the ocean. Really? His sister replied, I tried to figure out where she studied but didn't get a clear answer. Yeah, Titus answered, she's more or less homeschooled. She's wonderful, she said, I can see why you like her.
The next day Hayliaa called but there was an urgency in her voice. The power packs had dropped in the water and she managed only a small recharge. This would be their last chat until he'd be back. She was going to visit her own family but would be back in a few weeks. She started crying but he said, honey, don't worry about a thing. We'll both be okay, I love you forever and that won't change because we can't see each other for a few weeks. She smiled back and said, I love you too, but there's something you need to know... But at that her battery must have died and they got disconnected. For five minutes he sat with the phone in his hands, a few tears dropping from his eyes.
His sister came by and saw him and he explained what had happened. Why can't she find a place to recharge, she asked, a convenience store or a gas station. Even the Amish have batteries. There's something you're not telling, isn't it?
He nodded, and made a decision, knowing she wouldn't let go. He grabbed a folder from his bag and showed her his assignment paper. She read the assignment and then glanced through his thorough work. Not bad, she said, you're demonstrating quite some fantasy, I'm glad you didn't pick some space alien. I should have flunked, he whispered, the assignment said to make up a creature. She looked back through the paper and slowly it started sinking in what he was saying. You mean, this is not a fantasy? This is real? He nodded again, saying, yes, Hayliaa is a ... A mermaid, she finished, no way! But looking into her brother's eyes the truth started settling. Then, with a big grin she said, leave it to my brother Titus to find a mythical girlfriend!
He could finally tell her everything after she promised to keep the secret. She was actually in awe, as a little girl she loved mermaids, having dolls and even a dress she once used for Halloween. But she also saw the practical problems. I guess a nice wedding is out of question, she said disappointingly. We haven't even thought about that, we're only dating for a few months, he answered. But he knew what she meant. Nothing in this relationship would come easy in a human society. And what about children, she cried, how am I going to babysit? Take scuba lessons, he smiled, that's what I did. But no worries about that, we're very careful. She had a million more questions and got only few answers, he was wondering the same on many of them. And when he explained about the image of Hayliaa and her family inside his own mind, she concluded the mermaid was in this for real. No woman would share her deepest memory unless she was truly in love. We better work out some of the details, lil bro, this thing will not go away, so better have a plan to deal with it.
Christmas came and Mom was delighted with the golden necklace he had brought as a gift from Hayliaa. And Summer loved the golden bracelet as well. Titus and Hayliaa had found them in an old shipwreck she had led him to, and she picked them personally for his family. In the days after he became closer to his sister than ever before in their life's, discussing options on how to move forward. He figured that graduating as a marine biologist would give him options to live and work close to the ocean, so he could always be close to Hayliaa. She advised him to stay perfect in his scores, so he would be offered many job opportunities and he could pick the one that was most hands on and would not land him in a lab.
They also went shopping and she bought some tops and a dress for Hayliaa for him to bring back. And before they knew it the time had come to fly back. His mom and sister dropped him off at the airport and he promised to call as soon as he was back with his girlfriend. Summer hugged him tighter than ever before and whispered in his ear, give her a big kiss from me and don't wait too long in making me a niece, I've signed up for scuba class. And she left him stunned until his mom kissed him and gave him a present for Hayliaa. They all teared up, as it could be a year before they would see each other again and he had to promise to bring his girl next time. Summer gave him a wink when mom said that.
The flight was long and boring. When he finally arrived it was night. He would have to wait until tomorrow before he could see Hayliaa. He sent a quick message to his family that he arrived safely and went to bed. Tired as he was he had trouble sleeping, the jet lag as well anxiety getting the best of him. When daylight arrived he had probably slept for two hours, but he took a quick bite and set off on his bike. When he made it to the beach she wasn't there. He sat down and soon dozed off waiting for her. He dreamed he was underwater without air and she wasn't there to safe him. In his panic he opened his mouth and tasted the salt water gulping in. The salt on his tongue woke him up and when he opened his eyes he looked straight in her eyes. They were smiling and her whole face was lighting up, just sticking out of the water. And just like that all his worries evaporated. They were back together and nothing else mattered.
His face was wet from the water that she had splashed on him. He crawled to the water side and she swam closer and then they kissed. He could sense her thoughts again and felt her despair when she realized all batteries had gotten wet and no longer worked. She had been just as anxious as him and eventually gone to her own family many days of swimming away. They learned about her love, warning her how life would be tough with a human, but not discouraging it, as so many mermaids had gone before her. Only a few days ago she came back checking the beach every day, not sure what day exactly he'd be back. And now he was finally here. She had tears in her eyes of happiness but also worries. And when she finally pulled out of the water he understood why. She was very clearly pregnant!
What happened, he asked, rubbing her swollen tummy. How... I thought... She stopped him and said, I guess we learned the hard way that mermaids in their first few years are more often fertile, something my mom never really mentioned until last week. I'm sorry, but don't worry, my mom will help me raising the child, you don't need to do anything. Please don't be mad.
Mad? He said, how can I be mad? You're carrying my child, how could I be mad? I'm thrilled! You're sure, she asked, this is not going to be easy, your studies... Don't worry, he replied, I've seen many students with kids already, the school is prepared for it with daycare etc. I doubt they will be prepared for a mermaid baby, she answered, and at that moment it finally hit him. This was not going to be easy indeed. Nevertheless he said, we'll find a way, I love you and we can handle this. She smiled and said, you're going to be a wonderful dad.
We need to call my sister, he said, I promised her as soon as we were together again. I told her about you, you know, you being a mermaid. I figured that, she smiled, she asked so many questions I couldn't answer, I'm sure she started drilling you about it. They both laughed when he nodded. But she'll keep the secret you know, she has loved mermaids ever since she was a little girl, so it's a fantasy coming true.
He pulled out his phone and selected Summer's number and in seconds he looked at her face. Hey bro, she said, thanks for your message, but have you found Hayliaa? Is she all okay? He passed the phone on and once more his sister and his lover started chatting away, like they have been best friends for life. But soon he heard his sister ask to see more of her. Hayliaa gave him back the phone and he changed to the rear camera, slowly moving from her face down towards her tail. He could hear his sister gasp when she realized it was really true, but quickly came the question, is there anything else you guys need to tell me?
Hayliaa laughed, yes, it turned out I was more fertile than I thought. You're going to be an auntie! A scream came out of the phone, but it was one of happiness. Wait until mom finds out she's going to be a grandma, oh boy. But don't worry my dear, I know my little brother is going to take good care of you. I know, Hayliaa answered, but it won't be easy. And I love it for you to be involved too, will you be the godmother to our daughter? Summer gasped, you know already that it's going to be a girl? Oh yes, Hayliaa answered, no male child has ever been born from a mermaids womb.